Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on February 24, 2026 — the longest in modern history — was intended to highlight policy priorities and outline goals for the year ahead. Instead, much of the public discussion focused on the atmosphere inside the chamber. The State of the Union, a tradition dating back to 1790, is meant to showcase a president’s achievements and legislative plans. This year, however, visible reactions and symbolic gestures often drew as much attention as the policies themselves. Throughout much of the speech, many Democratic lawmakers remained silent, withholding applause during key moments. Tensions rose further...
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